A charity has slammed a review of rough sleeping services after council contractors were filmed throwing homeless people's tents into a bin lorry as "not independent".

The review, headed by Jess McGregor, executive director of adults and health at Camden Council, was commissioned after the council and the Metropolitan Police forcibly removed people from outside University College Hospital in November.

“It’s not independent… you cannot investigate yourselves,” said Jon Glackin, founder of Streets Kitchen, a homelessness charity that provides food, clothing and advice to rough sleepers.

The review, which was commissioned in December, places high priority on the council developing “more assertive influencing of government” in terms of rough sleeping policy and funding for services.

It also recommends further investigation into accessing temporary accommodation and hostels, and improvements to services for homeless asylum seekers.

Mr Glackin further criticised the review, saying “we do not hear our voices” in the report, despite working with council officers to inform them of the challenges faced by Camden’s homeless community.

“The bottom line is this review cannot be acceptable and is not acceptable… we are pleading with you, asking you to work with us,” he continued. “We seem to do a lot of talking, talking, talking, and as we know, quite frankly, the number of people out in those streets is increasing week in and week out.”

Cllr Patricia Callaghan, cabinet member for safer communities and deputy leader, said the review was “not the end of the work – but a milestone. We know there is a lot more to be done to support people who sleep rough here in Camden,” and that the council are “committed to listening and learning.”

Ms McGregor said she “can’t comment on decision making” behind her appointment, and that it is “disappointing that streets kitchen said they couldn’t see their voice in the review” as council officers “spent lots of time with Streets Litchen”.

She also responded saying a draft of the review was given to all parties involved, but Streets Kitchen "didn’t give any feedback”. She labelled this a “missed opportunity”, explaining the opportunity for dialogue and revisions to the draft was there.